5 Questions to Ask Your Santa Cruz Family Dentist

Categories: General Dentistry

questions to ask dentistSanta Cruz, Scotts Valley CA

Do you have an upcoming dentist appointment? If so, it’s always worth the time to sit down and make a list of questions you may have had for our family dentist in Santa Cruz since your last appointment six months ago.

In the event you haven’t thought of questions to ask the dentist, or perhaps you’ve forgotten the questions you had thought to ask, we’ve compiled the following list to help jog your memory a bit:

How do I improve my oral health at home?

Here’s a list of simple ways to improve your oral health at home:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day every day for two minutes each time.
  • Floss daily.
  • Increase the frequency of brushing and flossing to include after every meal or after consuming sugary or sticky foods.
  • Change out your toothbrush every three or four months.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet of tooth-protecting foods such as raw vegetables, fresh fruit and dairy products.
  • Drink plenty of water for hydration and provide fluoride to strengthen teeth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem among adults and can be caused by receding gums, thinning enamel, cavities, broken fillings or cracked teeth. Many of these are the result of improper dental care and poor diet. A strong oral hygiene regimen will help prevent tooth sensitivity. If you take good care of your teeth and eat a proper diet but still suffer from tooth sensitivity, try using toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth, and be sure you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Follow these steps, and you should notice a significant change in your tooth sensitivity. If you don’t, or if the condition grows worse, contact our Scotts Valley dentist office to make an appointment.

What are the warning signs of gum disease?

Most American adults will have some level of gum disease at some point in their lives. The most common warning signs of gum disease are red and swollen gums that are tender to the touch, persistent bad breath and excessive bleeding from the gums when brushing or flossing. Gum disease, at its worst, can cause teeth to loosen and fall out.

When should my child first visit the dentist?

Caring for a new baby seems like a daunting, sometimes overwhelming task, and everywhere new parents look, they’ll find conflicting information about caring for the baby’s health. Infant oral care is actually quite simple: Simply use a warm washcloth to wipe your baby’s gums after each feeding. Once teeth emerge from the gums, use an age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste to brush Baby’s teeth. The American Dental Association recommends children have their first dental visit by their first birthday. Implementing good oral hygiene habits early in life should help your child establish habits that last a lifetime.

How can I improve my smile?

Our family dentist in Santa Cruz has a number of ways to improve your smile, and it all depends on the concerns you have and the changes you’d like to see.  We offer general dentistry and cosmetic dental procedures, including dental crowns, dental implants, veneers, Invisalign aligners and other comprehensive services. Patients can choose one service or a combination of them to completely transform a smile!

GENERAL DENTIST IN SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, AND LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA

Daily oral hygiene is critical for the overall health of your mouth and smile. You should see our dentist at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry twice a year for your routine dental exam and cleaning. In these appointments, you’ll establish a relationship with our dental team members, which will help you maintain open lines of communication and feel comfortable talking to them about your oral health and any smile restoration treatments you may be interested in. Give us a call at (831) 824-5111 to schedule a consultation or appointment today.